Bulwark Takes

Will Saletan gives his take on how Republicans accused of serious misconduct have learned to survive scandal. All they have do is follow Donald Trump’s example: never resign, deny everything, attack the accusers, call the investigation “political,” and invoke Trump’s own history as proof that they can stay in the fight. From Duncan Hunter and Matt Gaetz to George Santos, Cory Mills and Max Miller, Will walks through how Trump has become the model for Republican politicians facing allegations, investigations and convictions — with endorsements, pardons and political support often waiting on the other side.
Read more from Will: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/how-to-survive-a-republican-scandal-imitate-trump

Tim Miller joins Alicia Menendez to discuss widespread calls for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to resign, Trump’s continued support for him, Democrats’ affordability message, and efforts to recruit stronger young candidates for down-ballot races nationwide.
Watch One the Line with Alicia Menendez on MS NOW: https://www.ms.now/on-the-line

Ben Parker and Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling (Ret.) give their takes on the growing crisis aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, where sailors have endured months at sea with poor food and living conditions, disrupted communications, and little clarity about when they will finally come home. Now, there's been several reports that sailors have considered or attempted jumping overboard. And yet, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called the situation “completely misrepresented.”
Go to https://thebulwark.com/events for more info on the upcoming Fall tour.

Catherine Rampell and JVL discuss the Trump administration’s latest corruption controversies, including paid early access to Truth Social posts, the destruction of a shell-company ownership database, executive power, and the White House ballroom.
Read more from Catherine: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/trumps-gift-to-the-money-launderers-database-treasury

Brandon Herrera is running for Congress in Texas and we’ve discovered a very strange side of his public persona. Sam Stein, Tim Miller, and Will Sommer dig into Herrera’s podcast, where he discusses “Lock & Load,” a supplement he says helps men with...something. The trio goes down the bizarre rabbit hole of male-enhancement supplements, the nine-pills-a-day regimen, and the strange world surrounding these products. Plus: Sean Duffy’s son-in-law is running for Congress, a MAGA podcast fight turns physical, and Candace Owens is preparing for a bizarre $300,000 debate.
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Read more from Will: https://www.thebulwark.com/p/the-charlie-kirk-murder-business-crass-spectacle-candace-owens-andrew-wilson-debate